KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here today allowed an application by actress Amelia Henderson's application to stay an order for her to issue a public apology to film and drama producer A.Aida for breach of contract.

Judge Zulqarnain Hassan said the court used its discretion to allow the application by the actress, whose full name is Amelia Thripura Henderson, 28, pending her appeal against an order for her to pay more than RM200,000 to A. Aida for breaching a filming contract.

"The court granted the application for a stay of an order to issue a public apology and to take down videos containing elements of defamation which were posted on her Instagram page," said the judge during an online proceeding today.

Zulqarnain also allowed a stay of the order for Amelia to pay RM213,245 in damages to A. Aida, but ordered that the money be deposited into a joint account managed by the legal firms representing both parties.

On April 7 this year, the Sessions Court ordered Amelia to pay RM213,245 in compensation to A. Aida for breaching the contract of a drama series titled 'Sekali Lagi Cinta Kembali' last year.

In allowing the suit filed by A.Aida through her company, A.Aida Production Sdn Bhd, the court also allowed its application for an injunction barring Amelia from repeating or spreading defamatory words against the company.

Amelia filed an appeal against the decision of the Sessions Court last April 18 and the High Court had set Oct 24 to hear the matter.

At the proceeding today, A.Aida Production Sdn Bhd was represented by lawyer Ashmadi Othman, while lawyer Mansheel Kaur represented Amelia.

A. Aida Production filed a lawsuit against Amelia on July 28 last year after the actress withdrew at the last minute from filming the drama.

-- BERNAMA